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Western Digital External Hard Drive

Avatar John Marriott
Have just purchased a WD My Book Studio Edition to use with Time Machine.
The reason for this purchase was that I could connect with a Firewire 800 to my new iMac.
The drive refused to activate via the firewire.
I then connected with the USB cable and the drive functioned as normal and is now up and running.
However I was not pleased that the drive was taking up a USB port so I contacted WD support.
This was the reply:
Download WD Drive Manager (Mac) This I did.
Down load My Book Studio Edition Firmware Update - Leopard Function.
The instructions for this down load seem very critical.
The first thing is states is that WD Anywhere Back Up MUST be turned off in the system tray Ugh!!? What is the system tray and what is more important where do I find it?
Next - The WD Button Manager MUST be uninstalled from the system. How do I uninstall this?
I know this post is a long one but I would be very pleased if anyone could help me. Being new to updates I do not have a lot of confidence and I do not want to damage my new machine.
John Marriott.

Re: Western Digital External Hard Drive

Avatar Terry Willis
John - I've looked at this and have to agree the instructions are VERY unfriendly. I do not have the drive, but the advice is gleaned from these websites:

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=392081
http://www.theosquest.com/2007/07/16/wd-my-book-button-manager-removed-and-some-frustrations/

So, in answer to the questions... (Assuming you initially installed any Western Digital software! Otherwise you probably need do nothing...)


Q1. WD Anywhere Back Up MUST be turned off in the system tray

The 'System Tray' is a Windows expression and refers to the tray at the end of the task bar at the bottom right of the screen. This NOT relevant to OSX!! So, try looking in your System Preferences. You will probably have an icon which is related to the Western Digital Drive. I'm assuming there is the facility to set to OFF within this.

Q2. The WD Button Manager MUST be uninstalled from the system: Another difficult one as there appears to be no uninstaller. So try opening the 'Terminal' application within your utilities folder and type:

sudo /usr/bin/uninstall-WDButtonManager

Note: You will need to type your admin password after entering the text for it to work.

Post back if unsure! (I'm happy to connect remotely if that would help, utilising the new iChat facilities)

Re: Western Digital External Hard Drive

Avatar John Marriott
Hi Terry
Thanks for your response. I have tried all you suggest but alas to no avail!!
I have been on the telephone to Mick B. and we have been trying other suggestions, again nothing seems to work.
We have come to the conclusion that either:-
1 There is a problem with the firewire connection on my new iMac.
2 There is a problem with the connection to the WD ex. Drive.
I have today contacted WD and I await their response. In the meantime the only solution seems to be connect with good old USB.
John

Re: Western Digital External Hard Drive

Avatar Terry Willis
The firewire connection can be checked by using the Apple System Profiler. If it registers the device then it is unlikely to be at fault. A send check would be to connect another device (Even another Mac). Don't forget to check the lead as well.

Re: Western Digital External Hard Drive

Avatar Mick Burrell
Terry - the drive does not show on the desktop or in system profiler. It took a restart to get the Firewire 400 and 800 buses to show there but there was no device attached to the 800 as there should have been. I think we need a known, working 800 device to connect to see if it registers.

Re: Western Digital External Hard Drive

Avatar Geoffrey McKie
Hi
Try the WD customer help site,there is a firmware update and software update available. i have the same WD drive which is operating ok on Firewire 800 from initial connection (wdc.custhelp.com).
Regards
Geoff
 
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